HOAs are populated by nosy busybodies

Sorry to state the obvious, but last night on the way to the pool I was confronted by someone who told me the pool closed at 9 (it was 8:30 at the time). He also interrogated me about where I lived. I wouldn't tell him. I saw him again today and again told him it was none of his business where I lived or if I were renting or a homeowner. What is wrong with these people anyway? Why do they feel the need to butt into other people's personal affairs?

I have a good mind to report him - I didn't think we were supposed to use our garages as living rooms, but that's exactly what he does. He even has a TV in there.

Oh yeah - of course, he is an HOA board member.

Wow - how much time do you have on your hands? I cannot imagine being so concerned with every car I do not recognize driving on my street.

You say you're concerned about crime - have you taken the time to politely introduce yourself to every single one of your neighbors?

What did you do after you confronted the driver of the vehicle? Did you watch as they drove away? Did you see if they knocked on someone's door and were welcomed into their home?

Do you inquire about your neighbor's personal lives? Do you know if they're renting or if they're homeowners? Do you know what interest they are paying on their mortgages? Do you ask them when they'll be going on vacation?

Do you have a life of your own? Some of us would prefer you to stay out of our business and leave us and those who may visit us alone.

HOA"s are clearly NOT meant for everyone! Buy a private home on a private lot..... if the communal living bothers you so!

Fred,

Of course there are always 3 sides to every story; mine, yours and the truth. We've only heard yours. Not having been with you when you were questioned by the board member I don't know what the tone of the questions were. But, frankly, I see nothing wrong with him asking you if you live in the neighborhood. If I met a stranger on my street I might ask him the same thing. Then to chastise Robert because he is concerned to see strangers in his neighborhood, only makes me wonder: Has crime escaped your little corner of the world or are you just a pollyanna who thinks "it can't happen to me!"? And, talk about busy body; some people might put that label on you otherwise how would you know this board member uses his garage as a living room.

Get the chip off your shoulder, Fred; it's not a very popular fashion statement.

Like I said, communal living is NOT for everyone.... perhaps it's not the right fit for your comfort zone??

Tony,
Certainly paying people well usually produces better people. For Hoa's this has been discussed a lot here, and there seems to be a strong conviction, given the variety and difference in sizes of HOA/condos, it would be unmanageable to pay directors. I know there are some condos that pay directors and they certainly have a right to decide that just as any organizations does, there are no laws against paying that would encompass all HOA's?condos.

But the BIG problem of owner apathy would still exist, would a paid director overcome that? Many associations have hired professionals to manage their places, does that effect owner apathy or has that solved all the problems. Does hiring a "manager" insure proper administration and operation.

This site frequently is asked what to do about Rogue and entrenched Boards, bad managers, bad Board members, bad lawyers, bad committees, etc, etc.

This above can be broken down into separate entities and are separate problems, but the common denominator in all of these is bad members. We sort of throw our hands up when we have to face bad members, and we go around the problem and try to resolve issues and run the operation.

Well, I think bad members deserve just as much attention as bad managers, etc. Our documents give no guidance, or attention to the matter. Here on this site we make suggestions about how to rally the troops, but an open question to all: Has anyone addressed this bad members problem and come up with a process that will effect change.

I know there are well run healthy organizations and I also know that they operate around bad members and get the job done. How important is this problem in the big picture?

Tony,
Well. I guess this is just another case where our documents are written differently.

In SC the election of whether you purchase property in a specific association is voluntary. Once you purchase the property, the membership and the agreement you sign makes it mandatory you support the association, and as a member you have a legal responsibility to protect the association. In a condo, under the State Statute in SC all owners are charged to uphold the covenants and are responsible for the operation of the association. You have no option to deny responsibility. If your association is charged in a legal suit and has to pay damages, guess whose money they use? As I say, I guess AZ is different.

Tony,

Who's to say the paid professional knows what he's doing or even cares if he does it right? Just look at GM and our financial industry. And remember Arthur Anderson and Enron? Those were all paid professionals! I'll take an unpaid volunteer who relies on "on-the-job training" over any of the paid professionals who ran those companys!!

ARS 10-3812: "Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws provide otherwise, the board of directors may fix the compensation of directors."

Add me to Robert's camp.

When i moved into my HOA in Phoenix, i walked around and introduced myself to every neighbor. I also walked around with my dogs, to show everyone what they looked like, who they belonged too, where they lived, etc. (in case they ever escaped/got loose). I picked up my neighbor's newspapers and cleaned their door of junk mail while they were gone on vacations, I grabbed a VERY expensive computer that a delivery company simply left on the driveway in front of the garage of a neighbor, I took their trash to the curb and back again when they were sick, too busy, out of town.

In my new home (in the desert boonies), i did the same walk around and introduction, had a BBQ for everyone, we have each other's phone numbers and keys, so that if we need something, we call. I watch for snakes heading to my neighbor, because he has kids that play in the yard, and he watches for holes in our fence that the dogs might be digging. I wave to every car that comes up our road, because if i don't know them, then they are lost. And, i want them to know I am able to help them find someone, or that i just see them and noticed them. I keep a map of the area down by the road, so i can show lost folks where they need to turn, go, etc.. I watch my neighbor's house, water his horses if i notice they kicked their water trough over, I return his dog if i see he climbed the fence again, I loan him gas and borrow his trimmer. I know when he goes to work and comes home, and if i see his truck at a weird time, I ask if he's okay, if he has problems, or if he needs a hand or a tool or a spigot or widget to fix something that broke. When our other neighbor's house broke a water spigot outside, another neighbor saw it, knew they weren't home, and called me. I managed to get it shut off, otherwise it might have run for a week or more.

I like living in a place where neighbors care, and care enough to be friendly, chat, be sociable, and yes, even stick their nose into business. I have had a LOT of help that way, when they see me at home at noon, they know something broke or someone is sick, and they call to see if i need help.

So, sorry to say, if you walk around my street, you will get friendly waves and greetings, and people will ask if you are lost, if you need something, or if there's something they can do for you. If you don't like living with caring neighbors, even busy bodies, then more power to you to stay where you are. As for me, I will take the neighbors I made any day.

Mary,
I agree.
I also would like to be living back in the era I could do a lot of things I just think about. But, maybe you didn't mean that, oh well, it's the thought that counts.

Heard on NPR today: Variety has it's own rewards. Just like Hoatalk.

I dare ya to put that on the sales brochure, RobertR1. ;)

I believe directors should be compensated. Competition for the job would be good and members would care more about who they pay to do the job. Without compensation a warm body qualifies.

Brian, you had me at "hello".

I'm packing my bags now....I'm moving to your neighborhood.